Mission Hills Farmers' Market on hiatus

(This story was originally posted HERE in San Diego Uptown News, a SDGLN media partner.)

SAN DIEGO -- Partially due to lagging attendance as well as a poor location, organizers of the Mission Hills Farmers' Market have put the weekly market on temporary hiatus, with Wednesday, Dec. 19, being the last day.

One of six markets run by Brian’s Farmers’ Markets, owner Brian Beevers began the Mission Hills market in June 2010. Representatives from Brian’s said they are currently looking for a new location.

Trish Watlington, owner of The Red Door Restaurant and The Wellington Steak & Martini Lounge, hosted regular dinners using the market as both an educational tool and supplier of ingredients.

“I’m extremely disappointed that the market wasn’t able to keep its current location,” Watlington said. “We are hopeful that discussion with other neighborhood partners might see the market reopen in a more trafficked and central spot. We will certainly do everything we can to support it when it does.”

Watlington also serves on the Mission Hills Business Improvement District (BID).

Gerrie Trussle, BID executive director, said she was sad to see the end of the market but was glad the neighborhood businesses are doing well, a sentiment Watlington shared.

“In the interim, many of the products are available at other neighborhood locations, albeit without the festive atmosphere of the market,” she said.

Watlington called Beevers a “fabulous partner,” saying, “I’m sure that with all of his efforts, we will see [the market] rebuilt in another Mission Hills location.”